Changes to Standards

Bulletin 13-13

July 11, 2013

The Board of Governors recently acted on recommendations from the Standards Committee and approved changes to the 13th edition (2012) of AATB's Standards for Tissue Banking (Standards). These updates include expectations for the Quality Program to establish which supplies, reagents, materials and equipment are considered "critical" and to write relevant policies and/or procedures. By creating new standards, updating a number of them, and introducing a universal definition for "critical," expectations become clear for tracking these items during a variety of tissue banking activities.

These updates will also assist accredited tissue banks to meet the intent of federal regulations and guidance at 1271.210 Supplies and Reagents, some of which qualify as expectations of core Current Good Tissue Practice (core CGTP).

You will notice that some revisions include general improvements to the wording or sequence of certain standards. Although these are not specifically related to the determination of "critical" supplies, reagents, materials or equipment, these additional improvements were accepted.

For accreditation inspection purposes, the changes announced in this bulletin must be implemented no later than 12 months from today (on or before July 11, 2014). Compliance will be expected on this date.

Access this link to view/download all changes approved 'with amendments:'